Yoga with Mii

#Health & longevity, #yoga practice, human #nutrition, breath work, functional #training. Beach #retreat, Acapulco 🇲🇽 May 4th to 10th, 2019.

[yogawithmii]

It’s been almost six weeks since the last time I did #yoga in my backyard, and it feels a bit weird to be practicing again with so much heat and humidity after a long month of teaching in the colder European weather. I have to admit that I was missing the sun, and I wanted to capitalize on the motivation I got after having shared the #practice with so many amazing people on my trip. So here’s a short Ūrdhva Kukkuṭāsana C flow from the #Ashtanga Advanced A series. I hope you have a good time on your mat today. ॐ #ashtangayoga #armbalance (at Miami, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoKQWTmFXGi/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qwlvcj7yb8hk

[yogawithmii]

Waking up in London to a bright and sunny day, ready to go teach the first session of my workshop at @moreyoga_ in Finsbury Park. Today we’ll focus on the fundamental aspects of the #Ashtanga method. Tomorrow at the Tower Bridge location we’ll have some fun working on arm balances, and Sunday our final session at Caledonian Road will be all about back bending and inversions. Looking forward to seeing you there this weekend! Make sure to check the MoreYoga website for all the details regarding the schedule and to sign up. ॐ #YogaWorkshop #yoga (at The Peace Pagoda - Battersea Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn_E9VBFJT2/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=sb6v2nn0xt44

[yogawithmii]

Tandem Bakāsana flow with the beautiful @lottasebzdayoga. This is a fragment of the last #practice we had together while I was in Stockholm. I’m really excited that I will be returning to Sweden next April for an extended workshop from the 22nd to the 28th. I’ll be sharing more details about it so stay stunned and save the date. ॐ #Ashtanga #yoga (at Stäket, Stockholms Län, Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn89BJOBZ3N/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6at931nj5lrz

[yogawithmii]

Sometimes you’re enjoying yourself so much that you wish time stood still. Now that I’m about to leave Germany, I’m thinking back on all the great experiences I’ve had over the past two weeks in this foreign land. The time I spent in Mainz and Hannover has been very rewarding and I cannot thank @kerstin.yoga_ and @yoga.anubhava enough for allowing me to share my passion with their community of #yoga practitioners. Now I am heading to my next adventure in Stockholm, until next time Deutschland, tschüss... ॐ #TravelingYogi #handstand (at Hanover, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnqSvM7A7Dj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pc17lc0fnufr

[yogawithmii]

One final moment on the mat before leaving Germany and continuing my travels... Tomorrow I leave for Stockholm, and I can’t wait to meet Lotta and be in Sweden for the first time. I’m taking with me some great memories from Hannover, and I’m grateful for the new friendships that were created during my time spent here, as well as the opportunity I had to reconnect with many old friends from @yoga.anubhava. Next Friday my workshop at @lilalotus begins at 6 PM. There are a few spots left, to sign up, you can contact @lottasebzdayoga to reserve your space. See you there yogis! ॐ #yoga #practice (at Hanover, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnn9y4pglyQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=gjbhv01xovod

[yogawithmii]

Today was the final day of my workshop at @yoga.anubhava here in Hannover. I’m really thankful for the amazing group of students that came to work with me these past 5 days. It was also great to reconnect with Anika and have a chance to help her with some aspects of her #practice. She has made so much progress since the last time I came here in 2013, and I’m sure her scorpion #handstand will look even better when I come back next year. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again. ॐ #Ashtanga #yoga (at Hanover, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnmcJUqgpgQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xpxccs6ewfl3

[yogawithmii]

It was about to be a whole day for me without a #handstand, but then I got to this cool subway station and thought, maybe I can do one quick arm balance before the train comes. I’m actually on my way to catch an overnight train to Hannover. Tomorrow I’ll be settling down and getting ready for the 5 day immersion I’m teaching at Yoga Anubhava starting this Friday at 6 PM. I’m really excited to be going back there and seeing some familiar faces. ॐ #yoga #TravelingYogi (at Marienplatz) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnXL9LBAr7-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1h0t86grm30dq

[yogawithmii]

The last couple weeks I’ve been traveling a lot (something I enjoy doing), but sitting on planes, trains and buses, changing time zones and not sleeping in your own bed can be pretty taxing for the mind and body. This morning I felt more energized so I decided to test my strength and stability by playing with different leg positions while balancing a #handstand to see if I had recovered or if I still needed to rest a little more. Fortunately this #practice space has a very relaxing atmosphere which allows you to concentrate quite easily. @kerstin.yoga_ ॐ #yoga #practice (at kerstin.yoga Yogastudio) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnRiIR1ggHF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=66ei5irfa2pn

[yogawithmii]

I’ve been having a great time in Germany these past few days, and today after we finished our weekend workshop we paid a visit to an old #castle right on the Rhine. I feel grateful for everyone who came to share the #practice with me at @kerstin.yoga_ and for the lovely Kerstin and her family for showing me around Mainz and teaching me so much about the language and culture of this beautiful country. My next stop is in Hannover, so if you’re around the area and want to work on your #asana, breathwork, meditation, etcetera, join me at Yoga Anubhava where I’ll be doing a 5 day immersion starting next Friday the 7th. ॐ #yoga #handstand (at Burg Reichenstein) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnPVuS1g4iT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=d4qgz7scof1r

[yogawithmii]

It took me 8 years to finally reach my heels in Kapotāsana, and that only started happening this week after I had the chance to #practice with my teacher for a week and get some of his expert adjustments in the Mysore room. Making progress in #Ashtanga has always been a slow process for me, but that has also allowed me to advance in a safer and more sustainable way that has thankfully kept me away from serious injury. I think this is just what I needed now that I’m going to Europe to teach a few workshops over there throughout September and doing very deep #asana work with the yogis on the other side of the Atlantic. ॐ #yoga #flexibility @michaelgannonyoga (at Yogaloft Playa del Carmen) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm_l_zHgbYh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dd536wfx9ncs

[yogawithmii]

Today is the final day of our #AshtangaFavorites challenge, and for this last post we are sharing our favorite #inversion from the #Ashtanga sequences. I selected something that has been a work in progress for me for at least 5 years, Viparīta Chakrāsana also know as “tic-tocs”. I still remember when I was learning the basics for performing this movement, and even though I know there’s a lot more that can be improved, just seeing how much progress I’ve made makes me feel really good. Lotta did something similar on her post, she showed us a badass scorpion #handstand which is also one of my #practice goals. Go check out her video @lottasebzdayoga, and show us what’s your favorite inverted #asana from the Ashtanga method. • To join in on this #yogachallenge all you have to do is follow Lotta and myself and show us your favorite Ashtanga poses for the next 6 days following the schedule described below. Don’t forget to use the hashtag for the challenge and to have your profile set as public so we can see your posts. We will pick a lucky winner based on consistency and creativity. Share with your friends and have fun yogis. • This is the schedule for the challenge: Tuesday 14th, Standing posture Wednesday 15th, Arm balance Thursday 16th, Hip opener Friday 17th, Headstand Saturday 18th, Backbend Sunday 19th, Inversion ॐ #yoga #ticktocks (at Yogaloft Playa del Carmen) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmra6gsgQ6z/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1isaykw2e0qbl

[yogawithmii]

Since I am on the road, for day 5 of our #AshtangaFavorites challenge I’m sharing this small clip from the workshop I taught earlier this morning at @distritosarte_ in Cancun. These are two of my favorite backbends in all the #Ashtanga sequences, Viparīta Śhalabhāsana and Gaṇḍa Bheruṇḍāsana from the Advanced A Series. I picked these two poses not because I can do them very well, I actually cannot reach the full expression of either one (my arms should be fully extended but that is still too challenging for me), but because over the years I have noticed how much my #backbend has improved by doing these asanas regularly. I know eventually I’ll be able to do the full version of those poses, but for now this is the best my body can do. Lotta showed us a beautiful version of Kapotāsana from 2nd Series, if you haven’t seen it, check it out @lottasebzdayoga. What is your favorite back bending #asana from the Ashtanga method? • To join in on this #yogachallenge all you have to do is follow Lotta and myself and show us your favorite Ashtanga poses for the next 6 days following the schedule described below. Don’t forget to use the hashtag for the challenge and to have your profile set as public so we can see your posts. We will pick a lucky winner based on consistency and creativity. Share with your friends and have fun yogis. • This is the schedule for the challenge: Tuesday 14th, Standing posture Wednesday 15th, Arm balance Thursday 16th, Hip opener Friday 17th, Headstand Saturday 18th, Backbend Sunday 19th, Inversion ॐ #yoga #practice (at Distritos Arte) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmpFd8Bgsp2/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3ijzkh8lrqab

[yogawithmii]

This is day 4 of our #AshtangaFavorites challenge. Today we’re choosing our favorite #headstand from the ones practiced in the #Ashtanga tradition. My choice was Baddha Hasta Śhīrṣhāsana D, the very last posture in Intermediate Series. I picked this pose not only because it represents the culmination of Second Series, but also because the arm placement is very unique and once you’re able to press up and balance this #inversion, it feels really good. Lotta chose some very challenging headstands also from 2nd Series. (Check out how easy she makes them look @lottasebzdayoga). What is your favorite head standing #asana from the Ashtanga method? • To join in on this #yogachallenge all you have to do is follow Lotta and myself and show us your favorite Ashtanga poses for the next 6 days following the schedule described below. Don’t forget to use the hashtag for the challenge and to have your profile set as public so we can see your posts. We will pick a lucky winner based on consistency and creativity. Share with your friends and have fun yogis. • This is the schedule for the challenge: Tuesday 14th, Standing posture Wednesday 15th, Arm balance Thursday 16th, Hip opener Friday 17th, Headstand Saturday 18th, Backbend Sunday 19th, Inversion ॐ #yoga #practice (at Miami, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmlr1XpAv7k/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kgp9igf6mrz0

[yogawithmii]

This is day 3 of our #AshtangaFavorites challenge. Now it’s time for our favorite hip opener and I went with Supta-Kūrmāsana from Primary Series. Growing up in the 80’s everything for me was about martial arts and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. And this posture is the perfect combination of those two concepts. It has the zen feeling of practicing kata, and the fun aspect of trying to morph into a turtle without breaking your back. It’s just a cool pose all around and a definite staple of my #practice all year round. On the other side of the Atlantic, Lotta selected Dvi-Pāda Śīrṣāsana from Intermediate Series which is basically a harder version of what I’m doing. (Go check what an amazing practitioner she is @lottasebzdayoga). What is your favorite hip opening #asana from the Ashtanga tradition? • To join in on this #yogachallenge all you have to do is follow Lotta and myself and show us your favorite #Ashtanga poses for the next 6 days following the schedule described below. Don’t forget to use the hashtag for the challenge and to have your profile set as public so we can see your posts. We will pick a lucky winner based on consistency and creativity. Share with your friends and have fun yogis. • This is the schedule for the challenge: Tuesday 14th, Standing posture Wednesday 15th, Arm balance Thursday 16th, Hip opener Friday 17th, Headstand Saturday 18th, Backbend Sunday 19th, Inversion ॐ #yoga #flexibility (at Miami, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmjV6S2gFIb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=z0exweru43l7

[yogawithmii]

This is day 2 of our #AshtangaFavorites challenge. Today we’re sharing our favorite #armbalance and I selected Pincha Mayūrāsana from the #Ashtanga Second Series because let’s face it, Pincha is the father of all arm balances. Also, Lotta picked Karāndāvāsana which is the pose that comes right after Pincha in Intermediate Series (go check her beautiful execution @lottasebzdayoga), so Pincha is perfect for showing what you need to be working on before you think of adding the lotus legs and try lowering to the arms. In my case I’m trying to focus on longer holds with a straighter line and a more controlled descent, something I’m emphasizing in almost every #inversion so I can get my core stronger by working hard on the negative portion of the movement. What is your favorite arm balance #asana from the Ashtanga tradition? • To join in on this #yogachallenge all you have to do is follow Lotta and myself and show us your favorite Ashtanga poses for the next 6 days following the schedule described below. Don’t forget to use the hashtag for the challenge and to have your profile set as public so we can see your posts. We will pick a lucky winner based on consistency and creativity. Share with your friends and have fun yogis. • This is the schedule for the challenge: Tuesday 14th, Standing posture Wednesday 15th, Arm balance Thursday 16th, Hip opener Friday 17th, Headstand Saturday 18th, Backbend Sunday 19th, Inversion ॐ #yoga #practice (at Miami, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmhElIPg-AL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12krkjaupe1zg

[yogawithmii]

This is day 1 of our #AshtangaFavorites challenge. Since Lotta picked the only other standing posture I like in all the #Ashtanga sequences (go check her out @lottasebzdayoga btw), I had to choose my second favorite one, Digāsana A & B from Third Series. This is one of those poses that doesn’t really look that hard until you actually try it and realize that it totally is... especially if you’re trying to follow the correct #vinyasa. Needless to say it took me a few attempts to get this one take and I still think there’s a lot of room for improvement in terms of my #balance. What is your favorite standing #asana from the Ashtanga tradition? • To join in on this #yogachallenge all you have to do is follow Lotta and myself and show us your favorite Ashtanga poses for the next 6 days following the schedule described below. Don’t forget to use the hashtag for the challenge and to have your profile set as public so we can see your posts. We will pick a lucky winner based on consistency and creativity. Share with your friends and have fun yogis. • This is the schedule for the challenge: Tuesday 14th, Standing posture Wednesday 15th, Arm balance Thursday 16th, Hip opener Friday 17th, Headstand Saturday 18th, Backbend Sunday 19th, Inversion ॐ #yoga #practice (at Miami, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmeI48vAk8j/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jwlwg8aiqw39

[yogawithmii]

“Life in all its fullness is mother nature obeyed.” — Weston A. Price ॐ #yoga #health (at Miami, Florida)